Virtual Care and Remote Patient Monitoring: A New Era in Healthcare
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Explore the transformative world of Virtual Care and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) in our latest blog post. As we delve into the new era of healthcare, we discuss how RPM is revolutionizing patient care by improving clinical decision-making, enhancing patient engagement, and optimizing clinical staff efficiency. We also highlight how virtual care is not just a temporary fix but a sustainable solution that has proven to be effective in managing chronic conditions, reducing hospitalization rates, and improving patient satisfaction. Discover how this technology-driven approach is bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers, making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and personalized than ever before. Join us as we navigate the future of healthcare, where technology and patient care seamlessly merge to create a healthier world.
1) Introduction
to Remote Patient Monitoring & Virtual Care
RPM is a kind of telehealth that
uses digital technologies to monitor and collect medical and other health data
from patients. This data is then electronically submitted to healthcare
providers for evaluation and, if necessary, recommendations and instructions.
RPM enables providers to continue following patients' healthcare data after
they have been released and encourages patients to take more control of their
health.
a) Definition and Overview of Remote
Patient Monitoring & Virtual Care
Distant Patient Monitoring (RPM)
is a device that allows patients to be monitored outside of traditional
clinical settings, such as at home or at a distant location. This technology
improves access to care while lowering healthcare delivery costs. RPM is
physicians providing continuous remote care to patients, often to track
physical symptoms, chronic conditions, or post-hospitalization rehab. RPM's
primary characteristics, such as remote monitoring and trend analysis of
physiological indicators, allow for early detection of deterioration, resulting
in fewer emergency department visits.
RPM devices collect patient data
and transmit it to a physician via the internet. A physician can use the data
generated to monitor changes in a patient's vital signs and intervene
accordingly. Depending on the ailment being treated and the patient's lifestyle,
these devices might range from simple health monitoring devices like a FitBit
to more complicated gadgets.
RPM is distinct from telehealth,
despite the fact that they are frequently lumped together under the banner of
telehealth services. Telephones, facsimile machines, electronic mail systems,
and remote patient monitoring equipment are examples of telehealth technologies
that collect and transmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation.
Telehealth is the distant delivery of health care to a patient via technology,
whereas RPM electronically captures patient information and communicates it to
a practitioner at a different place to allow tracking and monitoring of that
patient.
To give treatment at a distance,
virtual care extends beyond the gates of healthcare organizations. It includes
the use of modern video conferencing technology to assist remote care between
patients and caregivers, as well as the use of virtual reality technology to
model care situations. Virtual care is being used in healthcare for a variety
of purposes, including pain and anxiety treatment, virtual consultations and
follow-up visits, rehabilitation and therapy services, outpatient clinics, and
emergency services.
The main distinction between
remote patient monitoring and telehealth is that RPM uses technologies to
connect with patients from a distance, whereas telehealth comprises the
industry as a whole as well as the technologies needed to provide this form of healthcare.
As a result, telehealth can involve RPM as well as many other things.
b) The Evolution of Remote Patient
Monitoring & Virtual Care
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
has evolved over nearly 150 years, with its roots in early telehealth programs.
The notion of RPM was officially put into action in 1961, when NASA used early
EKG equipment, a temperature, and a respiration sensor in his microphone to
monitor the health of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.
RPM has made great progress over
the years. Physicians began broadcasting EKGs over telephone cables in the late
1960s, and by the 1970s, the Papago Indian Reservation in Arizona had
established and launched the first formal remote patient monitoring program.
Although this experiment was terminated due to problems in 1977, the knowledge
obtained from it was employed by NASA in its space technology program.
The transmission of x-ray
pictures became more common in the 1980s, and the first wearable biometric
sports watch for athletes was developed in 1982. This watch measured heart rate
and activity using basic EKG technology and a radio chest strap.
The internet changed RPM in the
1990s, allowing healthcare to move outside of traditional clinical settings and
into a patient's home. This change has been made possible by the use of
electronic health records (EHRs) and increased access to the internet and
medical devices.
RPM has grown to incorporate
real-time video conversations between the patient and clinician, and it is used
to monitor a variety of health issues including diabetes, heart disease,
dementia, substance misuse, infertility, and weight gain/loss.
By 2024, it is estimated that 30
million patients in the United States will have utilized some type of remote
patient monitoring tool or gadget. The global market for RPM systems is
estimated to be valued more than $1.7 billion by 2027.
RPM's future appears bright. It
is projected to evolve more as technology advances, and to become increasingly
incorporated into normal healthcare. Mobile-enabled RPM (mRPM), which uses
notifications to remind patients to provide vital information, is becoming more
popular. With little need for additional care workers, this technology provides
nearly instant clinical and financial advantages to large group and solo
offices equally.
Finally, the evolution of RPM has
been a path of technical breakthroughs and increasing accessibility that has
transformed the way healthcare is delivered. As technology advances, RPM's
capabilities and reach will expand, potentially resulting to more efficient,
cost-effective, and patient-centered treatment.
c) The Impact of COVID-19 on Remote Patient
Monitoring & Virtual Care
The pandemic of COVID-19 has had
a profound impact on the usage of remote patient monitoring (RPM) and virtual
care. To control hospital capacity and limit the risk of infection, many health
practitioners used RPM for COVID-19 patients in their own homes. During the
pandemic, telemedicine was seen to be a good patient safety method for limiting
potential patient exposure to infected patients by substituting in-person
appointments with telehealth encounters and employing virtual processes
whenever possible. Many organizations started monitoring for acute illnesses
and built procedures to monitor patients for COVID symptoms outside of the
hospital setting.
These programs aimed to reduce
the strain on hospitals during periods of increasing hospital utilization and
to detect any changes in patients' state. One emergency department gave
patients pulse oximeters and thermometers upon release, monitored them daily,
and sent patients for additional care if their symptoms worsened.
Finally, RPM and virtual care
have advanced greatly over the years and were critical during the COVID-19
pandemic. They have the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery by
allowing for continuous patient monitoring, eliminating the need for hospital
visits, and increasing patient outcomes.
2) Understanding Remote Patient Monitoring
RPM, also known as remote
physiologic monitoring, is the use of digital technologies to monitor and
capture medical and other health data from individuals in one location, such as
a patient's home, and electronically transmit the information to healthcare
providers in another location for assessment and recommendations. This
technology enables healthcare providers to closely monitor a patient's chronic
health issues without requiring the patient to attend a healthcare facility in
person.
RPM is not the same as
traditional patient monitoring systems, which are commonly used in healthcare
settings. RPM, on the other hand, entails placing monitoring equipment in the
patient's house, utilizing cloud and internet technologies, and employing RPM
devices to treat a variety of ailments, such as chronic illnesses or
post-operative monitoring.
a) The Role of Digital Technologies in Remote Patient Monitoring
Digital technology have
transformed the healthcare industry, especially in the field of Remote Patient
Monitoring (RPM). These technologies have made it possible to gather, transmit,
and analyze health data, allowing doctors to better monitor and manage patients
in atypical healthcare settings.
RPM collects health data from
persons in one area, such as a patient's home, and electronically transmits it
to healthcare providers in another location for assessment and suggestions.
Noninvasive technologies are increasingly being integrated into illness
management techniques to provide additional patient information in order to
improve healthcare decision-making.
Smartphones/personal digital
assistants (PDAs), wearables, biosensors, and computerized systems are examples
of these technology. They are used to track a wide range of chronic disorders,
such as respiratory, weight management, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases.
These technologies record vital signs, weight, blood pressure, oxygen levels,
and heart rate.
Digital technologies are
increasingly being used by healthcare organizations to increase patient
engagement and supplement the practice of preventative medicine. Healthcare
providers can share health data with remotely based clinical specialists for
advice, saving time and money for practitioners and patients alike, and
actively managing chronic illness therapies.
Digital technology were employed
for public health surveillance during the COVID-19 epidemic. Mobile phone
gadgets and applications, mobile phone tracking via technology such as
Bluetooth and GPS, drones, temperature sensing technologies, and wearable devices
were among the most commonly used technologies.
Digital change in health is
quickly spreading and consolidating. It encourages patients to participate in
the process of receiving health care. New digital technologies are transforming
healthcare, offering major benefits to patients and healthcare infrastructure.
However, acceptance and
deployment of these technologies in the healthcare industry have been generally
limited to electronic health record (EHR) platforms, with users predominantly
clinicians receiving alerts about patient care management.
Finally, digital technologies
play an important role in RPM by facilitating the gathering, transfer, and
analysis of health data. These advancements in technology have improved
clinicians' abilities to monitor and manage patients in atypical healthcare settings.
b) Types of Non-Invasive Digital Technologies Used in Remote Patient
Monitoring
Patients' data is transmitted to
healthcare practitioners via smartphones and PDAs. They can be outfitted with a
variety of sensors and attachments, including electrode pads, readers, and
ultrasound wands, to gather and communicate health data. To process and send
data, these gadgets make use of smartphones' computing and networking
capabilities. The majority of data handling is handled by mobile applications,
with some using cloud compute for speedier outcomes. Bluetooth or the internet
are used to provide wireless connectivity to attachments/sensors and networking
to healthcare professionals for sharing monitored data.
Wearable devices are devices that
are worn or installed on a body part to record a specific physiological change.
They can continuously monitor physiological important indicators including
heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, allowing healthcare
practitioners to remotely monitor their patients' health more correctly and
effectively. Wearables have progressed from measuring steps to monitoring
medical conditions and improving overall health. By properly tracking body
temperature and heart condition, they can replace medical equipment such as ECG
devices and defibrillators.
Biosensors are devices that
collect information from biological or chemical interactions. They may
successfully communicate data to the control unit, which analyzes the data and
gives the user with feedback on the health value via the computer. In recent
years, there has been a focus on biosensors that offer real-time health
monitoring, prevention, and therapy. They can be used to forecast sickness, and
people improving their health in ways other than exercise will become a new
trend.
RPM employs computerized
technology to gather, process, and communicate health data. They can be set to
collect and send health data without the patient's intervention. These devices
can monitor chronic disorders such as respiratory, weight management, metabolic,
and cardiovascular diseases.
To summarize, the utilization of
non-invasive digital technology in RPM has the potential to change healthcare
by giving real-time, accurate, and comprehensive health data. They can aid in
the early detection of health conditions, permit quick action, and enhance
overall patient care quality.
3) The Role of Telehealth in Remote Patient Monitoring
a) The Intersection of Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring
Telehealth and remote patient
monitoring (RPM) are inextricably linked since both involve the use of digital
technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely. Telehealth refers to a
wide range of technology and services, including as video consultations, remote
monitoring, and provider-to-provider contact. In contrast, RPM is a subset of
telehealth that emphasizes on the continuous monitoring and transfer of patient
health data using digital devices such as wearables, biosensors, and
smartphones.
b) The Use of Telehealth in
Remote Patient Monitoring
Telehealth is important in Remote
Patient Monitoring (RPM) because it allows healthcare providers to remotely
monitor and manage patients' health problems. This is especially advantageous
for patients with chronic diseases since it allows for continuous monitoring
and prompt interventions, decreasing hospital visits and increasing patient
outcomes. Telehealth can also help patients and healthcare practitioners
communicate more effectively, allowing for more individualized care and greater
patient engagement.
Video consultations are a common
telemedicine application in RPM. They let healthcare providers to assess
patients' health state and provide recommendations without having to see them
in person. This not only saves patient travel costs and infection risk, but
also allows for more frequent check-ins and treatment plan changes.
Remote monitoring of vital
indicators including as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels is
another important application of telehealth in RPM. This data is collected via
digital devices and delivered to healthcare specialists for assessment and
intervention. Continuous monitoring can aid in the management of illnesses like
as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.
Telehealth also makes it easier
for providers to communicate with one another for consultations and care
coordination. This makes it easier for healthcare personnel to interact and
share patient information, resulting in better coordinated treatment and better
patient outcomes.
c) The Impact of Telehealth on
Patient-Provider Encounters
Telehealth has demonstrated
considerable promise in improving patient-provider interactions, making
healthcare more accessible, comfortable, and efficient. It has been shown to
result in higher patient satisfaction, comparable clinical outcomes, and lower
healthcare expenditures when compared to in-person care. However, it also has
several limitations and obstacles, such as technology constraints, privacy and
security concerns, and the possible loss of human touch in patient-provider
interactions.
Telehealth has a number of
advantages, including cost savings, convenience, and the ability to deliver
treatment to persons with limited mobility or those living in remote locations
who do not have access to a local doctor or clinic. It has proven especially
effective during the COVID-19 epidemic, when fears of transmitting and getting
the virus during in-person medical appointments have increased interest in the
use of technology to give and receive health care.
According to a Kaiser Permanente
study, telemedicine was effective in reducing return office visits, emergency
visit rates, and hospitalization rates when compared to office visits. This
suggests that telemedicine can be a practical primary care option for patients,
particularly those who have difficulty getting in-person visits.
Telehealth has also been reported
to have a high level of patient satisfaction. A poll of 1010 people found that
91% were satisfied with video consultations and 86% were satisfied with phone
consultations.
4) Remote Patient Monitoring in
Practice
a) The Implementation of Remote
Patient Monitoring in Healthcare Settings
Identifying the need for RPM,
building a team to manage the program, setting goals, and evaluating the
available technology and vendors are all important aspects in implementing RPM
in healthcare settings. The successful implementation of an RPM program can
improve patient health outcomes while also giving practices with a new revenue
stream, providing financial security in unpredictable times. It can also assist
practitioners in meeting performance benchmarks for value-based care. When
implementing RPM in healthcare settings, aspects such as patient demographic,
clinical workflows, data integration, and staff training must all be
considered. Ensure that the RPM program is tailored to the individual needs of
the patient population and that it is smoothly incorporated into existing
healthcare workflows to increase patient engagement and outcomes.
Define the program's intended
results and measurable metrics.
Designate operational leads, clinical leads, and executive stakeholders
who understand the benefits and challenges of an RPM program. Each step of the
process, including staff training, patient selection, onboarding, verifying
patient adherence, and invoicing, should be planned and documented. Vendors
should be evaluated based on their ability to satisfy your objectives, interact
with your existing systems, and deliver user-friendly solutions for both
patients and staff. Provide the appropriate training and assistance to ensure
that both clinical personnel and patients understand their roles and
responsibilities in the RPM program. Evaluate the program's effectiveness on a
regular basis, identify areas for improvement, and make required changes to
improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. By following these steps and taking
into account the unique demands of your patient demographic and clinical
workflows, you can successfully establish an RPM program that enhances patient
care while also supporting the financial viability of your practice.
b) The Use of Remote Patient
Monitoring in Managing Chronic Conditions
RPM has been shown to be useful
in controlling chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart
failure. Healthcare practitioners can spot trends and patterns in patients'
health data, make appropriate interventions, and alter treatment regimens as
needed by continuously monitoring their patients' health data. This may result
in better patient outcomes, fewer hospitalizations, and lower healthcare
expenses.
A research at the University of
Mississippi Medical Center, for example, discovered that using RPM for diabetes
patients resulted in a 1.7% reduction in hemoglobin A1c levels, a significant
indicator of blood sugar control. Another trial at the University of Utah's
Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered that RPM reduced hospital readmissions by
75% for individuals with congestive heart failure.
RPM systems collect patient data
via sensors and wearable devices, which is subsequently saved in the cloud and
instantly accessible by doctors. This enables real-time illness identification
and ongoing monitoring of chronic disease patients. These systems can also
increase the effectiveness of health professionals in managing chronic diseases
by allowing for the early detection of disease warning symptoms, which is
critical in improving the survival rates of certain diseases like hypertension
and diabetes.
In the instance of diabetes
management, RPM programs equip patients with a linked glucometer that allows
for automatic, wireless glucose reading transfer to a physician-led care team.
Patients self-test their blood glucose levels daily, and a member of the care
team checks transmitted readings and follows up with patients as appropriate if
their findings reveal a decrease in glycemic control.
Remote blood pressure monitoring
and management have been shown to dramatically enhance blood pressure control
in patients with hypertension. The use of internet technology for hypertension
monitoring and management has numerous benefits, including the detection of
white-coat and masked hypertension, assessment of daytime blood pressure,
facilitating long-term hypertension follow-up, improving patient compliance,
and increasing hypertension control rates.
RPM enables for continuous
monitoring of relevant health indicators in heart failure management, allowing
health care practitioners to respond to changes in patient health status and
alter their clinical management in real time.
However, while RPM is a viable
alternative to standard care, reducing mortality and improving disease
self-management, there are possible concerns about greater hospitalization
rates and a lack of beneficial influence on patients' quality of life. Furthermore,
higher levels of patient activity and engagement with RPM technology have been
linked to improved glycemic control outcomes.
5) The Future of Remote Patient
Monitoring & Virtual Care
The future of Remote Patient
Monitoring (RPM) and virtual care looks bright, with a heightened sense of
urgency to use these technologies in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Weight, blood sugar levels, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, body
temperature, and other health data are commonly tracked with RPM systems. They
can also be used to track mental health issues, pain management, and drug
adherence. RPM systems' versatility is a crucial strength, allowing for a
simple transfer from hospital to home use, or even to an assisted living
community or nursing home. RPM technologies are likely to play a critical role
in improving healthcare access for patients in marginalized and underinsured
populations as they evolve.
a) Emerging Trends in Remote
Patient Monitoring & Virtual Care
Factors such as the increasing
frequency of chronic diseases, the expanding acceptance of wearable devices,
and the shift toward value-based, patient-centric care are driving emerging
trends in remote patient monitoring (RPM) and virtual care. RPM device market
value is predicted to reach US$4.07 billion by 2030, demonstrating an
increasing trend in the usage of these technologies. RPM has the potential to
greatly expand the possibilities of home healthcare by allowing caregivers to
remotely monitor patients and increase patient-clinician contact.
Wearable devices that measure
vital signs like as heart rate and blood pressure are becoming more widespread
in RPM. These gadgets can offer healthcare providers with real-time data,
allowing for more timely and effective therapy. RPM is utilizing artificial
intelligence (AI) to forecast, diagnose, monitor, and treat patients from the
comfort of their own homes. This can assist healthcare providers in providing
more sophisticated and tailored care.
RPM is increasingly being
employed in mental health care and other specialized areas, allowing patients
to receive more complete and timely care.
As more sensitive health data is collected and
communicated via RPM systems, the necessity for strong data security measures
will grow.
RPM technologies are becoming
increasingly integrated and centralized, enabling for more efficient data
handling and better patient care.
The services that may be
delivered at home, the economic viability of home care, medical expertise and
opinions, and patient preferences are all factors influencing RPM acceptance.
As technology advances and healthcare systems adapt, RPM is projected to play
an important role in the future of healthcare, increasing patient outcomes and
lowering healthcare costs.
b) The Challenges and
Opportunities of Large-Scale Implementation of Remote Patient Monitoring
RPM adoption on a big scale
confronts various problems. One of the most significant issues is the lack of
interoperability among the many IT systems used to manage patients' electronic
health data. Poor connectivity, personnel concerns, and the enormous frequency
of alerts that tax staff time and resources are among the other challenges.
Despite these obstacles, RPM
provides various options. It has the potential to improve care and reduce
hospital readmissions, as well as influence clinical trials and promote
telemedicine. RPM technology allow doctors to stay up to current on a patient's
health and perform interventions that can minimize the frequency of ER visits,
readmission rates, and potentially save lives. Furthermore, remote monitoring
of health indicators can help to keep patients with critical diseases out of
the hospital.
RPM and virtual care rely heavily
on artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. AI systems can mine massive
volumes of patient data for trends, abnormalities, and potential problems.
Based on previous data trends, they can detect health decline early, generate
individualized treatment programs, and predict new health difficulties. Through
targeted interventions and constant monitoring, AI can also improve medication
adherence. However, accurate, full, and interoperable data sources are required
for reliable predictive analytics. Furthermore, in order to foster confidence
among healthcare providers and patients, AI algorithms must be transparent and
understandable.
6) Case Studies of Remote Patient
Monitoring in Action
Frederick Health, a renowned
Maryland healthcare provider, launched a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
program in 2017 for its Chronic Care Management (CCM) division. The initiative
was created to reduce hospital readmissions and save the health system money.
The CCM telehealth program
addressed high-risk patients who were at high risk of hospitalization, such as
those with chronic diseases such as COPD, CHF, diabetes, Atrial Fibrillation
(AFib), and hypertension.
Frederick Health collaborated
with Health Recovery Solutions (HRS) to create a comprehensive telehealth
service. This technology enabled the CCM clinical team to monitor patient
vitals and medication adherence, educate patients on disease-specific topics,
and improve patient-clinical communication.
Frederick Health has expanded its
footprint in the neighborhood since the program's launch. Accountable Care
Organizations (ACOs), elder centers, physician offices, paramedic programs, as
well as the Department of Social Services and Meals on Wheels, are now
accepting patients.
From October 2018 to April 2019,
the CCM telehealth program tracked over 250 Medicare patients for at least six
months. The outcomes were impressive: Hospital readmissions among telehealth
patients were reduced by 83%, saving the health system roughly $5.1 million.
By enhancing communication among
clinicians, patients, and family caregivers, the program also greatly enhanced
the quality of life for patients and their families.
The human interactions formed
with the patients, as well as the technology used in the telemonitors,
contributed to the program's success. The healthcare staff called each patient
at least once a week and encouraged them to develop goals for themselves, promoting
a sense of growth and independence.
The RPM program also decreased
operational expenditures, such as employee burden and administrative costs,
increased efficiency and patient engagement, and improved resource allocation.
In conclusion, Frederick Health's
CCM division's deployment of the RPM program has proven to be a successful
strategy in reducing hospital readmissions, increasing patient outcomes, and
saving the health system money. The program's performance indicates telehealth's
potential for chronic illness management and enhancing healthcare delivery.
Penn Care at Home, a healthcare
institution, launched a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program for heart
failure patients in 2011. After patients were discharged from the hospital, the
program was designed to actively engage them in self-symptom management.
Patients who were chosen for the
RPM program received a 4G tablet as well as biometric monitoring equipment. On
a daily basis, these gadgets were utilized to track and record their vital
signs. The 4G tablet, which may be anything like the TT800Q 8" 4G LTE
Tablet, provided several functions. Patients could not only enter their vital
signs, but they could also receive prescription reminders and access to symptom
questionnaires and educational videos.
Patients' health data was
obtained via biometric monitoring devices, which might be similar to
Bluetooth-enabled equipment like glucometers, weighing scales, and blood
pressure cuffs. The clinical team at Penn Care at Home then monitored these
data.
Several beneficial outcomes
resulted from the RPM program. It increased patient participation, which is an
important aspect in achieving positive health outcomes. Patients were able to
create objectives, track progress, and participate more actively in their
health management after being given access to their health data and support
resources.
In addition, the approach reduced
hospital readmissions. Hospital readmissions can be costly to the healthcare
system, with the average cost of readmission being $15,200 per patient. RPM can
reduce hospital readmissions by eliminating the need for patients to physically
see healthcare providers.
Finally, the program resulted in
reduced healthcare expenses. RPM initiatives, with the correct strategy and
implementation plan, can lead to better patient outcomes and lower healthcare
expenditures.
Finally, the RPM program
implemented by Penn Care at Home in 2011 revealed the power of technology to
promote patient participation, decrease hospital readmissions, and cut
healthcare expenditures. It emphasized the need of employing technology to
supplement rather than replace human connection in healthcare. It also
emphasized the importance of a holistic strategy, which includes the selection
of the appropriate technology as well as the training and education of both
patients and clinicians on how to utilize it effectively.
MaineHealth Care at Home is a
prominent supplier of home health and hospice services in southern and midcoast
Maine, serving children and adults. In collaboration with Health Recovery
Solutions (HRS), the organization started a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
service in 2015. The initiative was created to assist individuals in managing
their health and staying connected to health care providers via wireless
devices such as tablets and cellular phones.
The RPM program was created in
response to Maine's healthcare issues, which include a largely elderly
population, a rural geography, and considerable poverty levels. The program was
created to assist patients in managing chronic illnesses like COPD, CHF,
hypertension, and others. To connect with competent nursing services, patients
were given a 4G-enabled touchscreen tablet and a full suite of peripheral
devices. Nurses might monitor the patient's vital signs, receive notifications
when abnormal readings occur, and speak with the patient as needed.
Over the first year, the program
was successful in lowering hospital readmissions by 75%. Hospital readmissions
are a major source of worry in terms of both quality of care and healthcare
costs. Reducing hospital readmissions can lower healthcare costs while
improving care quality and patient satisfaction.
In addition to the RPM program,
MaineHealth Care at Home collaborated with two southern Maine housing groups,
Avesta Housing and the Caleb Group, to deliver telehealth to the community.
This collaboration established Connected Care Clinics, which provide on-site,
pre-scheduled telehealth services. This venture was part of a Maine State
Housing incentive program that provides tax credits for housing projects that
include infrastructure and space for a telehealth office.
The RPM program's success and
partnerships with housing groups indicate telehealth's ability to enhance
patient outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and extend the reach of healthcare
services into the community. MaineHealth Care at Home's experience serves as a
helpful case study for other healthcare organizations exploring the
introduction of telehealth and RPM programs.
d) Hackensack University Medical
Center and Holy Name Hospital
Hackensack University Medical
Center and Holy Name Hospital collaborated to assess the effectiveness of a
nurse-led, patient education approach to heart failure treatment via Remote
Patient Monitoring (RPM). The study included fifty high-risk heart failure
patients and discovered that the experimental group had better patient outcomes
and lower healthcare expenditures.
Nurse-led heart failure self-care
education is a way in which nurses play an important role in giving educational
help to patients by identifying access to expert knowledge, boosting patients'
health literacy, and thereby empowering them. This strategy has numerous
advantages, including patients' positive perceptions of nurses and good
intervention quality.
The study sought to assess the
impact of nurse-led heart failure self-care education on health outcomes in
heart failure patients. Nurse-led heart failure self-care instruction
significantly reduced the likelihood of all-cause readmission, heart failure
specific readmission, and all-cause death or readmission, according to the
findings. However, it was not linked to better quality of life or heart failure
knowledge.
The use of RPM in this study is
crucial because it complements medical care and early interventions, which may
help patients control their disease and improve outcomes. Although RPM has
tremendous potential in heart failure, published trials provide evidence of
historical success and failure that informs future efforts.
The study's emphasis on patients
with high-risk heart failure is also significant. Identifying high-risk heart
failure patients is a critical yet difficult task for clinicians and healthcare
organizations. Predicting adverse outcomes in heart failure patients could
theoretically help direct resources to patients at highest risk, who may
benefit the most from earlier and more intensive monitoring and treatment,
while avoiding unnecessary interventions and costs for patients at low risk.
Finally, the collaboration
between Hackensack University Medical Center and Holy Name Hospital highlighted
the potential benefits of a nurse-led, patient education approach to
RPM-assisted heart failure treatment. The strategy showed promise in terms of improving
patient outcomes and lowering healthcare costs, particularly for individuals
with high-risk heart failure. More research is needed, however, to fully
evaluate the impact of this method on patients' quality of life and heart
failure knowledge.
e) Empeek's Remote Patient
Monitoring Solution
The Remote Patient Monitoring
Solution from Empeek is a custom-built system that uses Internet of Things
(IoT) technologies to enable remote health monitoring. The system was developed
to capture and securely store health data from wearable devices, allowing
healthcare teams to obtain critical metrics and making patients comfortable
with health data measurement.
Wearable devices such as blood
pressure monitors, scales, and blood glucose monitoring instruments are
supported by the system. These devices communicate with the system through
cellular and Wi-Fi technology, allowing for real-time data gathering and transmission.
For example, after a patient completes their tasks or awakens from a nap, they
can use a wearable device to monitor their heart rate and blood sugar level.
The device subsequently transmits the collected data to the healthcare manager,
who verifies that the metrics are within the expected ranges.
The system also provides a
variety of graphs and reports to help users understand health data. These
reports can be prepared using patient data and forwarded to insurance companies
if necessary. This feature not only makes health data easier to grasp for
patients, but it also helps healthcare management track time spent on each
client directly in the system. Furthermore, the healthcare manager can leave a
message near the patient to remind them to take a medicine or to tell a doctor
of their health status.
The Remote Patient Monitoring
system was developed in stages, beginning with the discovery phase. During this
phase, Empeek's project managers and business analysts gathered all of the
requirements and walked the customer through the product prioritization and
development plan. The system was meant to be cost-effective and was thoroughly
tested using customer-supplied hardware.
The system can be used with three
different types of devices: a heart rate measurement tool, scales, and a
glucose meter. Empeek received all of the hardware necessary for extensive
testing from the customer. Empeek was in charge of the entire system development,
deployment, and release process.
The solution is especially useful
for adult children who care for their parents and want to keep track of their
health status. The device enables them to remotely monitor their parents'
health data, offering peace of mind and allowing for timely intervention when
necessary.
Finally, Empeek's Remote Patient
Monitoring Solution is a complete solution that uses IoT technology to provide
remote health monitoring. It supports a wide range of wearable devices,
provides simple graphs and reports, and enables healthcare professionals to
monitor patients' health data in real time, changing patient care.
f) App-based Remote Patient
Monitoring during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The study done in West London
aims to investigate the impact of adopting an app-based remote patient
monitoring system, specifically the Huma Therapeutics app, on a clinician's
workload in the context of a COVID-19-specific virtual ward . The investigation
was conducted out over a month, during which clinician workload was observed,
and full-time equivalents savings were determined
The study includes two groups of
patients. The first cohort was observed by telephone exclusively, while the
second cohort was monitored via both the mobile app and telephone. The Huma app
was designed to monitor data points given by the patients via communication
over telephone calls. The app tracks the health of people between doctor's
appointments
The results of the study showed
that digital remote patient monitoring resulted in a reduction in the number of
phone calls from a mean total of 9 calls to 4 calls over the monitoring period.
There was no difference in the mean duration of phone conversations (8.5
minutes) and no reports of readmission or mortality. These results correspond
to a mean save of 47.60 working hours. Moreover, it translates to 3.30 fewer
full-time equivalents (raw phone call data), resulting in 1.1 fewer full-time
equivalents necessary to monitor 100 patients when adjusted for time spent
examining app data. Individual doctors spent an average of 10.9 minutes each
day analyzing data
The study indicated that the
amount of time spent evaluating one patient was lowered from 490 minutes to 280
minutes when using both the Huma app and telephone for monitoring. This
reduction amounts to needing 4 fewer staff to remotely monitor every 100 patients.
There was no difference in mortality or adverse events between the two groups
The study concluded that
smartphone-based remote patient monitoring technology may deliver tangible
savings in physician workload at a time when service is severely stressed. It
highlighted the economic and operational impact that digital remote patient monitoring
technologies may have in enhancing working efficiency and reducing operational
costs. The study revealed that app-based remote patient monitoring possibly
holds considerable economic advantage to COVID-19 patients. In the wake of
successive waves or future pandemics, and even in ordinary treatment, app-based
remote monitoring patients could free up crucial resources in terms of clinical
team's time, allowing a better reallocation of services
The Huma app is developed for
patients, promoting universal adoption and compliance. It offers a
straightforward, patient-centric design that facilitates quicker patient
adoption and adherence, with 99.7% of patients indicating they found the Huma
app helpful. The Huma platform integrates with a wide range of third-party
medical devices, offering flexibility in addressing monitoring demands. The
Huma solution has been applied in clinical settings globally, including rural
clinics, pharmacies, national health systems, and more. It has been
demonstrated to improve readmission rates, lower mortality amongst Huma
patients compared with people not taking Huma, save time to optimize drugs, and
reduce outpatient appointments
Kentucky Cardiology, a
Lexington-based practice, had difficulty in monitoring patients' blood pressure
at home and assuring reliable results. To address this issue, they worked with
Optimize Health, a remote patient monitoring (RPM) solution provider. Prior to
deploying RPM, patients at Kentucky Cardiology manually entered their blood
pressure readings on paper. With Optimize Health's technology, the procedure
was digitalized, leading to a 500% increase in the number of hypertension
patients treated within the first three months
Optimize Health provided Kentucky
Cardiology with 50 blood pressure monitoring devices initially, and the number
of devices climbed to 300 within a few months. The devices were provided to
patients who would benefit from the initiative, selected using a chronic-care-management
application from vendor Chronic Care IQ. Medical assistants analyzed patients'
readings using the Optimize Health program and contacted patients if they
detected higher-than-normal readings or no readings for a few days
The RPM program enabled Kentucky
Cardiology to intervene more promptly with patients in need of medication
adjustment, keeping them out of the emergency room and enhancing their quality
of life. In one case, a patient at risk of stroke due to high blood pressure
had her blood pressure brought under control with the RPM program, allowing her
to live a fuller life without the stress of potentially having a stroke
In summary, the implementation of
Optimize Health's RPM solution at Kentucky Cardiology led to a significant
increase in the number of hypertensive patients treated and allowed the
practice to intervene more quickly with patients requiring medication adjustments,
ultimately improving patients' quality of life.
7) Conclusion
In conclusion, remote patient
monitoring (RPM) is altering the healthcare business by giving real-time data
on patients' states, enabling healthcare practitioners to make informed
decisions regarding their care and improve health outcomes. The future of RPM
contains great promise, driven by technological developments and growing
healthcare requirements. As RPM technology continues to progress and become
more integrated into healthcare systems, it is predicted to play an
increasingly vital role in improving patient outcomes, decreasing healthcare
costs, and enhancing the overall quality of care.
FAQ’s
1) What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?
Remote patient monitoring is a
healthcare delivery method that uses digital technologies to monitor and
analyze a patient's vitals and other health data outside of a traditional clinical
setting. RPM technology electronically transmits health information between
patients and physicians
2) Who can provide RPM services?
RPM can be ordered and provided
by physicians and other qualified healthcare professionals. Clinical staff can deliver
and manage RPM under the general supervision of the billing provider
3) Who can receive RPM services?
Any patient with a chronic or
acute condition may receive RPM services if the provider prescribes/orders RPM
and it is relevant to managing the patient’s condition
4) Can RPM be used for new and established patients?
Yes, CMS allows providers to
deliver RPM services to new and established patients for both acute and chronic
conditions
5) What are common examples of RPM devices?
Some of the most common RPM
devices are blood pressure monitors, weight scales, pulse oximeters, blood
glucose meters, and wearable activity trackers
6) What are common types of patient health data collected with RPM?
Providers may use RPM to collect
patient health data, including blood pressure, vital signs, weight, heart rate,
blood sugar levels, and physical activity
7) What are the most common medical specialties that offer remote
patient monitoring?
Specialties that utilize RPM
include but are not limited to cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology,
gastroenterology, bariatrics, internal medicine, and primary care
8) What disease states can be managed with remote patient monitoring?
Some of the most common disease
states that can be managed by RPM include hypertension, obesity, congestive
heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes
9) What are some of the benefits of using RPM?
RPM provides a wide range of
benefits, including improved management of acute and chronic conditions,
reduced hospitalizations and readmissions, lowered overall healthcare costs,
increased patient adherence and engagement, and reduced risk of infectious disease
exposure such as COVID-19 for patients, providers, and healthcare workers
The Center for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded reimbursement opportunities for healthcare
providers offering RPM services. RPM is payable by Medicare and 21 state
Medicaid programs (as of January 2021), and an increasing number of private
payers
Yes, one of the major perks of
remote patient monitoring is cost reduction. Both the patient and care provider
can see cost savings with RPM. Patients don’t have to visit a care provider as
often, which saves money in itself. Care providers reduce rates of readmission
and can also reduce in-office staff hours due to reduced visits and make more
effective diagnoses
12) Are there any privacy concerns with RPM?
Yes, the rise of remote patient
monitoring has raised privacy concerns over access to patients’ health
information. Concerns include data breach, unauthorized sharing of sensitive
information, and the patient’s sense of loss of autonomy. Organizations have
implemented privacy measures such as encryption, user authentication, and
cybersecurity to protect sensitive information in remote patient monitoring
systems from security breaches
13) What is the difference between RPM and Telehealth?
RPM is the use of a device for
interaction between providers and patients outside of the provider’s
organization. Telehealth is the use of electronic information and
telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical care, patient
and professional health-related education, public health, and health
administration
14) Can RPM be used to manage COVID-19 patients?
Yes, RPM can be an especially
safe and useful method of care as our healthcare system works to combat
COVID-19. It allows clinicians to monitor temperature and pulmonary function,
blood pressure, and other appropriate physiology for changes in a patient's
disease and symptom progression
15) Do patients need to give consent for RPM?
Yes, and providers must obtain
and document consents in patients' medical records. Medicare allows for
informed verbal consent, but other payers may require written consent
16) What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)?
Remote therapeutic monitoring
(RTM) is designed to help manage patients using medical devices that collect
"non-physiological data." The concept of RTM was introduced by the
American Medical Association in 2020
17) What is the future of RPM?
The remote patient monitoring
market is expected to reach $760m by 2030, growing at an 8.9% annual rate
between 2020 and 2030. The swift adoption of RPM has made it one of the
fastest-growing technologies in the healthcare industry
18) What are the limitations of RPM?
While RPM is rapidly growing as a
new accepted standard in healthcare, there are a few cons to consider. These
include accessibility or connectivity obstacles with patients, the need for
education on how to use different devices, and the potential for reduced
readmission rates
19) What are the most common devices used in RPM?
The most common devices used in
RPM include blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, pulse oximeters, ECG +
stethoscope, wearables (activity trackers and continuous monitoring),
thermometers, and scales
20) How does RPM improve patient satisfaction?
Patient satisfaction rates with
care also rise with the use of remote patient monitoring technology. After
implementing RPM, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
experienced patient satisfaction rates as high as 90 percent
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